Story Behind Flea Markets

Of course, one of his best and proudest stories is simply how flea markets got their name. He has heard many theories during his 15 years in the business and believes he now knows the answer.

The term originated in Paris, prior to the French Revolution, he says. Along with junk, the spoiled wealthy class would routinely toss out valuable items such as silk clothing, jewelry and silverware. The poor caught on to this and began digging out treasures from the trash, which they took to a certain area and sold. When the rich got wise to this, they sought out the market and bought their items back. Then they put out the runor that people were getting fleas from dealing with the poor, dirty people who picked through trash.

Thus, the term flea market.

"I was in the business about nine years before I really knew myself," says Sides, almost sounding boastful. "I bet if you ask 200 dealers out there, they wouldn't be able to get you that story."